Frankson Leads UAB to Win Over Louisville

Comes off the bench to score game-winning goal and add assist

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Sophomore midfielder Jermie Frankson came off the bench to score the game-winning goal and add an assist to lead UAB to a 2-0 win over Louisville in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament at Robert R. Hermann Stadium on Friday night. The Blazers will look to defend their tournament title in Sunday's championship match against the winner of the Memphis-Saint Louis match.

Frankson entered the game at the 35:57 mark and just 17 seconds later took a pass from Roberto Najarro and knocked home his fifth goal of the season for what turned out to be the game-winner. In the 71st minute, Frankson knocked down a pass from Jose Rayo and set up Lane Knight with a beautiful, no look reverse pass for the insurance goal.

"Our strength all season has been our depth," said UAB head coach Mike Getman, "We have 22 players that can all play and we have 17 different players that have scored goals for us. For us it wasn't really a surprise that Frankson came right in and scored, he's been tremendous for us all year."

"I thought that our team played well at times, added Getman. "We scored two nice goals and played defense well. Louisville's midfielders did a good job in determining play in the second half."

For UAB it was its second win over Louisville in five days, as the Blazers closed out the regular season with a 3-2 overtime win in Louisville on Nov. 5.

"Having just played them, the players certainly knew each other very well, " said Getman. "It was very much the same game as Sunday. On Sunday we made a couple of mistakes and gave up two goals. Tonight, we didn't make those mistakes and managed a win."

"The two teams are similar in many respects," according to Louisville head coach Tony Colavecchia. I thought that we prepared solidly, but credit UAB, they did what they needed to in order to win.

With the loss, Louisville finishes it season at 12-9-1, marking an increased victory total for the Cardinals for the fifth consecutive season and matching its school record for victories.

LOUISVILLE      0       0       -0
UAB             1       1       -2

UAB - Jermie Frankson (5)  from Roberto Najarro, 35:40
UAB - Lane Knight (7) from Jermie Frankson and Jose Rayo, 71:30


Shots on Goal:  Louisville 5, UAB 6
Goalkeeper Saves:  Louisville 4, UAB 5
Corner Kicks:  Louisville 5, UAB 3
Fouls:  Louisville 21, UAB 17